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What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a widely used and popular cosmetic procedure done to significantly reduce fatty deposits and thus improve the curves and contour of the body. Although not a direct solution for weight loss, liposuction in Chicago is effective in targeting diet- and exercise-resistant fat deposits such as love handles or stubborn pockets of fat on the legs, thighs and buttocks.

Liposuction

Dr. Otto Placik, Liposuction Specialist

Dr. Otto Placik is considered one of the most talented Chicago surgeons. He is board-certified in plastic surgery and specializes in liposuction and a wide variety of other body contouring procedures. He also offers a full lineup of surgical and nonsurgical med spa treatments for men and women throughout Chicago and its neighboring suburbs.

Please contact us online or call our Chicago or Arlington Heights plastic surgery offices for more information on liposuction, including prices.

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Chicago

Dr. Otto Joseph Placik Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Placik is a board certified plastic surgeon in Chicago and an active member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He received his medical degree from Northwestern University where he also completed residencies in general and plastic and reconstructive surgery.

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Before & After

Am I a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

The best candidates for liposuction in Chicago are men and women who are at or near a healthy weight for their height and build, but want to slim down specific areas of stubborn fat — the inner thighs, “saddle bags,” a “muffin top.” Patients considering lipo should be in good overall health and should continue to practice a healthy lifestyle after surgery to maintain their results long-term.

What Areas Can Liposuction Treat?

Liposuction is ideal for patients who are at or near their ideal body weight and who wish to target stubborn problem areas that have remained despite eating right and an active lifestyle. Patients should understand that liposuction isn’t a substitute for weight loss, nor is the procedure designed to significantly reduce excess whole body fat.

The best liposuction results are seen when lipo is used to fine-tune a patient’s existing figure and improve the appearance of the body through careful contouring. That’s why common target areas for liposuction include the stomach, hips, thighs and buttocks, although liposuction can improve contours around the arms, knees, neck, chin and even “cankles.” Liposuction can also be used for male breast reduction in men with gynecomastia.

Chicago Liposuction

Liposuction
Actual
Patient Not a Model

What types of liposuction does Dr. Placik offer?

Types of liposuction offered by Dr. Placik

  • Tumescent liposuction, often called traditional liposuction, involves the injection of a liquid solution into the treatment area that simplifies the fat removal process by breaking down and emulsifying fat cells, while constricting blood vessels to limit bleeding. tumescent solution also includes a local anesthetic to keep patients comfortable throughout surgery.
  • Syringe-assisted liposuction is generally used for smaller treatment areas such as the neck or face or for limited localized fatty deposits.
  • Ultrasonic-assisted lipoplasty, also known as vaser or lysonix, uses ultrasound to disrupt fat cells and allow easier evacuation. It is useful for treating fat that is more compartmentalized within dense tissues such as the male breast or hip (“love handles” or “muffin top”) as well as the female bra strap region. heat from the laser used cauterizes blood vessels to control bleeding, and may also help tighten the skin following treatment.
  • Power-assisted liposuction incorporates mechanical energy to drive the cannula to facilitate fat aspiration using smaller cannulas that minimize irregularities and dimpling.

Tummy Tuck vs Liposuction

Dr. Otto Placik explains the difference between his Chicago Liposuction and Tummy Tuck procedures. Learn how both procedures can treat fat and the benefits of each.

Your Tailored Liposuction Treatment Plan

You have a unique body, and genetics play a large role in where fat will be deposited, whether that be your stomach, your rear end, arms or thighs. To determine what liposuction process will be best suited for you, we are available for a personal consultation to evaluate your condition and advise you of the options. Liposuction is safer than ever, and we can help you better understand everything you need to know about the procedure, recovery time, and what to expect after the procedure is completed. We have answered the most common questions we hear from our patients, but you may have specific questions or concerns. In our first consultation, we will spend all the time you need to help you learn all about the process, what to expect, and whether this is the procedure that will give you the results you envision.

Dr. Placik is not only a highly-skilled plastic surgeon – he is an artist in the field. It takes an eye for beauty to achieve outstanding results and we are committed to helping our patients achieve a body contour that is more aesthetically pleasing and trimmer. Helping them finally be free of fat deposits that wouldn’t otherwise resolve through diet and exercise.

What can I expect after my liposuction procedure?

Mild to moderate swelling and soreness are normal following liposuction and are occasionally accompanied by bruising. Dr. Placik will ask you to wear a compression garment for a week or two to help alleviate discomfort and keep swelling to a minimum, which speeds the healing process. Though most patients can return to work and their daily routine in a week, strenuous physical exercise and heavy lifting should be postponed until 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.

Many of our patients considered getting liposuction for years before finally taking the plunge. With the advanced techniques available from Dr. Placik, the time is right – why wait any longer to get the body you want? Recovery time is faster with the latest techniques and technology, and our patients rave about their results.

There is little more rewarding than happy patients who finally have a slimmer and trimmer profile with the help of modern techniques. Our process involves using the most advanced liposuction Chicago has to offer and using the least invasive treatments to contour and sculpt your body and remove unwanted fat.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect?

Though liposuction does permanently remove the targeted fat cells, it doesn’t prevent future weight gain. If you maintain your post-lipo weight and live a healthy lifestyle, you can expect positive long-term results. However, re-gaining weight would likely result in the accumulation of new fat that might compromise your new look.

Liposuction permanently removes fat from targeted areas for smooth contours and a dramatic outcome. If you maintain your ideal weight through a healthy lifestyle, you can expect long-lasting results. Weight gain, however, can create new fat deposits that may compromise your new look.

What type of anesthesia is used?

For treatment of a small area with liposuction, local anesthesia is suitable. General anesthesia is best for more extensive lipo. Patients usually go home on the day of surgery, and the incisions heal to almost completely undetectable.

How Much Does Liposuction Cost?

The cost of liposuction depends on a number of variables including the type of liposuction, the size of the area treated and whether additional procedures will be performed at the same time. Dr. Placik and his staff strive to provide value to each patient and can advise you on flexible cosmetic surgery financing options to make your procedure affordable. All things considered, it isn’t very costly and hundreds of patients come to our office for treatment.

What About Fat Transfer?

Liposuction is a great way to sculpt and tone a problematic part of your body, and many of our patients have found that it gives them the opportunity to revitalize another part, at the very same time. Our fat transfer procedure can utilize the fat cells removed during liposuction, injecting them back into an area that has begun to droop, sag, or generally lose volume.

What is the best way to improve my abdominal area?

Why Choose Dr. Placik?

When it comes to body contouring procedures, procedural experience, technical expertise, and artistic inclination must go hand-in-hand. Dr. Placik brings all three to the table, creating results that are natural looking and complement your naturally existing good qualities. With years of experience, he’s become adept at creating results that truly bring out the best in his patients. Reach out and set up your consultation, to learn more about what Dr. Placik can do for you today.

Liposuction FAQ

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a popular body contouring procedure that smoothes and reshapes the body by removing stubborn fatty deposits. Excess fat is loosened and removed using a small but powerful vacuum. Smaller treatment areas, including the neck or face, may require only a syringe.

What Types of Liposuction Are Available?

Tumescent liposuction is the most commonly performed procedure for fat removal. With this method, a saline solution is injected into the treatment area. The solution includes a local anesthetic for patient comfort and medication that minimizes bleeding and breaks down the fatty tissue for easy removal.

Power-assisted liposuction, or PAL, is tumescent liposuction with a small addition: The tip of the cannula is motorized, helping to loosen targeted tissue that is then removed via suction. This is often a preferred method for rapidly harvesting fat used in fat transfer breast augmentation.

Ultrasonic-assisted lipoplasty (UAL), also known as VASERlipo® or Lysonix®, uses sound waves to liquefy fatty deposits for easy evacuation. This method is preferred when targeting fat located in dense tissue areas of the body, like the male pectoral region or female bra strap area.

What is Tumescent Liposuction?

Although Dr. Placik may recommend alternative liposuction techniques for some patients, tumescent liposuction is considered the gold standard of body contouring. Regardless of which method Dr. Placik uses, a cannula, or thin tube, is inserted into the treatment area through tiny incisions. The fat is broken apart and the cannula is then attached to a vacuum that provides powerful suction to sculpt the targeted fat cells away.

WHY DO I WEAR COMPRESSION GARMENTS AFTER LIPOSUCTION?

Compression garments help decrease swelling and bruising and reduce the likelihood of seroma (the accumulation of excess fluid). These benefits translate to an easier and more comfortable recovery for you. Additionally, most patients report that compression also minimizes soreness and discomfort.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF LIPOSUCTION?

As with all surgeries, there are potential complications that patients should be aware of. These include bruising, bleeding and reactions to the anesthesia. Though uncommon, some of the more serious risks associated with liposuction include nerve damage, irregular contours, and infection. Dr. Placik delivers his very best care and attention to every patient to minimize these risks

CAN I COMBINE LIPOSUCTION WITH A TUMMY TUCK?

Absolutely. An abdominoplasty is regularly done along with liposuction. When combined with a tummy tuck, likely areas for liposuction include the hips and the flank; the area commonly referred to as “love handles.” These procedures complement each other well and can result in sleeker body contouring.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING MY PROCEDURE?

Dr. Placik will make a small incision in the treatment area and insert a thin, hollow tube, known as a cannula. Local or general anesthesia will be administered depending on the size of your treatment area and on Dr. Placik’s recommendation. Based on the type of liposuction you receive, the unwanted fatty tissue, once loosened, is removed through a syringe or via a small vacuum. Though the procedure varies depending on the region of the body targeted, liposuction is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing you to return home the same day.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING LIPOSUCTION RECOVERY?

After your treatment, you’ll likely experience mild to moderate swelling, soreness or bruising. Dr. Placik will recommend a compression garment for a week or two after the procedure, which should help ease any discomfort you may feel, minimize swelling and increase the rate of healing. While the majority of patients can return to work after a week, it’s important to avoid strenuous activity for 4 to 6 weeks, including exercise or heavy lifting. You can begin to ease back into your workout routine within several weeks. Dr. Placik will provide you with detailed post-procedure care instructions.

Otto J. Placik, M.D. Reviews

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